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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #405695
Research Project: Conservation Systems to Improve Production Efficiency, Reduce Risk, and Promote Sustainability

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: mRNA Signatures in peripheral white blood cells predict reproductive potential in beef heifers at weaning

Author
item BANERJEE, P - Auburn University
item DINIZ, W - Auburn University
item HOLLINGSWORTH, R - Auburn University
item RODNING, S - Auburn University
item DYCE, P - Auburn University

Submitted to: Genes
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/2023
Publication Date: 2/15/2023
Citation: Banerjee, P., Diniz, W.J., Hollingsworth, R., Rodning, S.P., Dyce, P.W. 2023. mRNA Signatures in peripheral white blood cells predict reproductive potential in beef heifers at weaning. Genes. 14:498. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020498.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020498

Interpretive Summary: Reproductive failure is a major contributor to inefficiency within the cow-calf industry. Particularly problematic is the inability to diagnose heifer reproductive issues prior to pregnancy diagnosis following their first breeding season. A study was conducted on gene expression from the peripheral white blood cells at weaning to predict the future reproductive potential of beef heifers. Results revealed multiple interactions novel targets and pathways predicting reproductive potential at an early stage of heifer development.

Technical Abstract: Reproductive failure is a major contributor to inefficiency within the cow-calf industry. Particularly problematic is the inability to diagnose heifer reproductive issues prior to pregnancy diagnosis following their first breeding season. Therefore, we hypothesized that gene expression from the peripheral white blood cells at weaning could predict the future reproductive potential of beef heifers. To investigate this, the gene expression was measured using RNA-Seq in Angus–Simmental crossbred heifers sampled at weaning and retrospectively classified as fertile (FH, n = 8) or subfertile (SFH, n = 7) after pregnancy diagnosis. We identified 92 differentially expressed genes between the groups. Network co-expression analysis identified 14 and 52 hub targets. ENSBTAG00000052659, OLR1, TFF2, and NAIP were exclusive hubs to the FH group, while 42 hubs were exclusive to the SFH group. The differential connectivity between the networks of each group revealed a gain in connectivity due to the rewiring of major regulators in the SFH group. The exclusive hub targets from FH were over-represented for the CXCR chemokine receptor pathway and inflammasome complex, while for the SFH, they were over-represented for immune response and cytokine production pathways. These multiple interactions revealed novel targets and pathways predicting reproductive potential at an early stage of heifer development.